Kensington Threnody, op. 104 (2017)

Robert Coates (b. 1954) — Kensington Threnody, op. 104 (2017) for organ

“Kensington Threnody” (2017) was composed in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. On June 14, 2017, a fire broke out in public housing apartments in North Kensington, West London. More than 70 individuals died. The music is based on a 12-note row that is used melodically and also harmonically as its own accompaniment. Four three-note chords are derived from the row and appear throughout, at times creating bi-tonal sonorities.

Robert Coates (b. 1954) was born in Cheshire, England and was educated at King William’s College on the Isle of Man and Royal College of Music in London. His primary teachers were Nicholas Danby, Herrick Bunney, and Allan Wicks. Since 1981, Coates has lived in Norway where he works as a church musician and composer. He has published numerous organ and choral works.

Published by Cantando Musikkforlag (http://www.musikkforlaget.no/)